Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families, Part 61

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568

USA > Connecticut > New London County > Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families > Part 61

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Peleg Church, Jr., born about 1766, married Mary Leach. By occupation he was a farmer, and he lived at Mohegan. The following children were born to himself and wife: Erastus married (first) Nancy Ford and (second) Filcha Comstock Church ; Peleg married Jane Harrington ; Harry is mentioned below; Nancy married Ebenezer Story ; Maria married Joshua Rogers ; James B. married Julia O' Brien ; Lydia married Joseph Fuller ; Eliza married John Manwaring; Harriet married Samuel H. Atwell; William L. married Harriet Lucas; Abby married George F. Dolbeare.

Harry Church, born in 1795, was the grandfa- ther of Lewis R. He was a farmer and resided at Mohegan, where his death occurred. In January,

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

the me mention of physical death. Men like Mr. Ladd have an influence which survives them just as the rof te hues of a glowing sunset linger long after # sun has gone down. Faithful in every relatiofof life, the architect of his own career, he left a ] idsome competence and at the same time a name : was fo sullied and a reputation without a blot. He of company, and his tastes no less than the habits: his life were thoroughly domestic. In 1865 1 was united in marriage with Lucretia K. Waldoof Scotland, Conn., a daughter of Zacheus and I retia (Ayer) Waldo. After her decease he ma ed, Oct. 26, 1885, her cousin, Mrs. Louise B. Jac on, who was born near Hartford, Conn., widow John R. Jackson, of Hartford, and daugh- ter of v. Horatio (a Congregational minister) and Smith) Waldo, both of whom died in Port-

Nancy age, N Y. Mrs. Ladd, true to her early training, is a consent member of the Congregational Church at Fray lin.

Nchildren were born to William Ladd, but the daugh

of his second wife, Anna Jackson, was fondly nd dearly loved by him. She died at the earl le of nineteen, a blossom of beauty already ripene flower

for a better land. She was not only the the home, but in social life and religious circles, cupied a prominent place that no one else could

Her pastor, Mr. Gage, of Hartford, who was afpad at the time of her death, wrote to her hat she (Anna) was the most active and il young woman in Christian work in his gregation ; that her loss would be deeply by all with whom she was associated, as should miss her so much he could scarcely how the mother could live without her. not only strikingly handsome in face and it was of a rare type of beauty, with soul-

that radiated grace upon all who came e circle of her influence. She was gifted in music id literature, but her Christian graces out- 1 other gifts. At the age of ten, when a was presented her, she sat down upon the

shone fine pi stool icefully, and, playing her own accompani- ment, ng in a most pleasing and effective manner e Gates Came Ajar," "The Golden Stairs," r hymns. A musician who was present at said: "If a child of that tender age could h such spirit and pathos such pieces as te well deserved a fine instrument." Mrs. ys that it has always seemed to her as if "How and o the til sing those, Ladd the cl i's grandparents, who were most Christian had let their mantle fall upon Anna, and as people if the andfather's blessing had proven most effec- tual e was a man of letters, well versed in Greek and cher languages. As he was dying, the baby Anna bolste

is brought to him for his blessing ; he was up at his request, and, taking the child in his ant, most fervently asked the blessing of the Almig y upon her. She grew from day to day in Chris i loveliness of character, under her moth- er's w chful training. After Anna's death Mrs.

Ladd received a very affecting letter of condolence from a young Chinaman, who had been converted to the Christian religion under her daughter's influence in a Sabbath-school class taught by Anna for some time in New York City. The Chinese lad was thrown under her influence at a missionary meeting, and subsequently joined her Sabbath-school class, where he was always an attentive listener.

This world is His garden, Anna ; He but took thee from us here To blossom the brighter there.

LEWIS R. CHURCH, member of the firm of F. P. Church & Co., and one of the well known and popular citizens of Norwich, comes from one of the old families of Montville, of whom we have record as follows :

Richard Church came from England and was one of the first settlers of Duxbury, Mass. He was the father of the great warrior against the Indians, Benjamin Church.

Another son of Richard Church was Joseph Church, born in 1638, who died at Little Compton, R. I., March 21, 17II. He was the ancestor of a large number of those bearing the name in eastern Connecticut and Rhode Island.

Jonathan Church, supposed to be a grandson of Joseph Church, came from Colchester, Conn., to the North Parish of New London, now Montville, and soon after 1724 purchased a farm near Uncas- ville, at a place afterward called Pennytown. He was a man of note and respectability. On Feb. 24, 1724, he was married to Abigail, daughter of Sam- uel and Christian (Chapel) Fairbanks, and their children were: Jonathan (married Mary Angell) ; Fairbanks ; Joseph ; and Peleg.

Peleg Church, born about 1738, was a black- smith, and started a shop in Montville in 1764. Later he resided at the Fort Hill farm at Mohegan, where he made his home for thirty years, dying there in 1804. He married Elizabeth, daughter of Jeremiah and Ann (Chapel) Congdon, and their children were: Elizabeth; Peleg; Sanford, who married Sarah Monroe; and John, who married Sarah Leach.

Peleg Church, Jr., born about 1766, married Mary Leach. By occupation he was a farmer, and he lived at Mohegan. The following children were born to himself and wife: Erastus married (first) Nancy Ford and (second) Filcha Comstock Church; Peleg married Jane Harrington; Harry is mentioned below; Nancy married Ebenezer Story ; Maria married Joshua Rogers ; James B. married Julia O' Brien ; Lydia married Joseph Fuller ; Eliza married John Manwaring; Harriet married Samuel H. Atwell; William L. married Harriet Lucas; Abby married George F. Dolbeare.

Harry Church, born in 1795, was the grandfa- ther of Lewis R. He was a farmer and resided at Mohegan, where his death occurred. In January,

mothe influen large mourr they a concei She w figure ful ey withir

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

1816, he married Parthena Bradford, daughter of William Bradford, and a direct descendant of Gov. Bradford. Harry Church survived his wife but a short time. They had the following family: Peres B. is mentioned below ; Betsey married Joseph Wa- terman, a seafaring man, and resided at Norwich, where she died; Capt. Frank resided at Poqueta- nuck, and was a captain in the coasting trade (he married Sally O'Brien).

Peres B. Church, father of Lewis R. Church, was born Feb. 14, 1820, in Montville, and remained at home on the farm until he was twenty-three years of age, assisting his father. At that time he went on the water, from New London, on a sailing ves- sel, and engaged in the southern coasting trade and the West Indies trade, following this calling until he became mate on the vessel "Mary Powell," of which his brother, Frank Church, was captain. Later he engaged in the steamboat service and be- came a lookout on the steamer "City of Lawrence," running between New York and Norwich, which position he was holding when he contracted small- pox from a corpse, which was being transported on the steamer. The disease proved fatal in his case, also, and so passed away an honorable, useful mem- ber of society, ,Feb. 2, 1872. Another gentleman on the boat also contracted the disease. The re- mains of Peres B. Church lie in the Comstock ceme- tery at Uncasville. In politics he was a stanch Re- publican, but he did not desire office. He attended the Methodist Church, and endeavored to live up to its teachings.

On July 3, 1845, Mr. Church was married, by Rev. D. N. Bently, a Methodist clergyman, to Jane L. Parker, who was born Aug. 28, 1824, at New London, and whose parents died when she was a child. After the death of Mr. Church his widow moved to Norwich, and there made her home until her own death, which occurred Nov. 15, 1903; she was laid to rest by the side of the husband of her youth.

The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Peres B. Church were as follows: Louisa P., born Nov. I, 1846, was married Nov. 24, 1868, to Henry E. Sil- cox, who resides in Norwich ; they had no children. Alice E., born June 8, 1848, died Oct. 9, 1861. Ella J., born Aug. 7, 1850, died Nov. 4, 1874. Frederick H., born June 3, 1852, is mentioned below. Francis L., born Jan. 8, 1855, died July 14, 1855. Frank P., born July II, 1856, is associated with Lewis R. Church in business ; he married, June 6, 1888, Annie Pettigrew, of Boston, and has two children, Fred- erick S. and Althea F. John G. H., born April 27, 1859, is unmarried. Lewis R. was born Sept. 23, 1860. Grace N., born May 13, 1867, died July 27, 1869.

Frederick H. Church, fourth in the order of birth in the above family, went into the steamboat serv- ice, and had become the quartermaster of the "City of Lawrence" when he was injured and made a crip- ple for life. Other men probably would have been

completely discouraged, but not so this bravdoung fellow. As soon as his health would perit he learned the trade of cigarmaker, and establis fi the business now conducted by his brothers, w h he 1.b. 3, carried on the remainder of his life, dying 1886; he was unmarried.

Lewis R. Church was born in Montville, d re- ceived a common-school education. Durin; child- hood he was taught to work hard, and rained upon the farm, assisting in its managemen until F1 en- Sept. 24, 1880, when he came to Norwich tered the employ of his brother, Frederk H. Church, in his cigar establishment. He tinued until the death of the latter, when he con- Ed his fiploy inder brother, Frank P., who had also been in the of the elder brother, formed a partnership the style of F. P. Church & Co., and contin d the business at the old stand, corner of North H 1 and West Main streets, until 1888, when the ncern was moved to No. 72 Main street, the Austi build- ing. There the business has since been

cated, and the brothers have built up a large a stantly increasing trade in the manufactur con- · and retail cigar business. In November, 18 brothers purchased the property and busines of the People's Coal Co., which had been establis 1 and was owned by E. N. Gibbs, and they cond t that enterprise in conjunction with their ciga plant, Lewis R. Church being the manager of coal business.

, the

Lewis R. Church is not only a prosperc busi- ness man, but he is prominent in politics, in onnec- tion with the Republican party, serving in $100-01 in the court of common council, during wh [1 time many important questions came up for posal. The first year he was on the Auditing co mittee and the next year he was a member of the committee and the Police committee, two of

lly h F. & Frank Com term inanc le mos important committees of that body. Frater is a member of St. James Lodge, No. 23, A. M., Franklin Chapter, No. 4, R. A. M. lin Council, No. 3, R. & S. M., and Columbi mandery, No. 4, Knights Templar. For ty he was master of St. James Lodge.

In November, 1888, Mr. Church was harrie in Norwich to J. Elizabeth Maynard, a ifive Norwich, daughter of Jedediah and Julia ( Roch well) Maynard, and two children have con to th happy union : Lloyd Maynard, born Jan. 1890 and Robert Huntington, born June 7, 1897

In every respect Mr. Church is a m trusted, not only in a business way, but

to 1

ith tl affairs of the municipality and the comme wealt a fact 'his neighbors and friends well af eciat they predict a very brilliant future for tl ente fid po prising, public-spirited young business man tician. This, at any rate, is certain: what er ta he is called upon to perform will be done nscie tiously, thoroughly and wisely, and in a maher ca culated to effect the greatest amount of goli to t largest number of people.

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

JOSEPH PEABODY, one of the most pro- nd successful farmers of Waterford, New ounty, Conn., as well as one of its repre- citizens, was born Nov. 16, 1835, in Salem, 1 of Joseph, and grandson of Joseph, Sr.

oseph Peabody, Sr., lived and died in Eng- and, være he married a Miss Burton. She bore nim eig hese,

children, seven sons and one daughter. Of seph and Thomas came to America to- gether,the latter settling in Canada, twenty-one niles vot of Detroit, Mich., where a number of his descen its still reside.

(II Joseph Peabody, son of Joseph, Sr., was born i: Waterford, England, in 1808, and died in 1896. i Waterford, Conn. He was a farmer by oc- cupatid and as before stated, came to the United nd worked on Gardiner's Island for about

States, one ye Later, he engaged in whaling and finally locatedet Salem, Conn., in about 1830. In 1850, he boulet the farm in Great Neck District, Water- ford, ere his son, Charles H., now resides. He

was al onest, straightforward, hard-working man, of excent constitution. The mother of our sub- ject, w. died in 1874 in Waterford, bore the maid- en nan Salem Revolı riage " he wa Herric pell, a .of Catherine Baker, and she, too, came from 'onn. Her father served as a soldier in the nary war. The children born of this mar- fre: Thomas, who died in East Lyme, where engaged in farming, married Lucy Jane Joseph; Elizabeth married Alonzo Chap- they lived in Waterford; Charles H. mar- ried Jlephine Douglas, of Waterford, where he is engag in farming; Sophia married Thomas Cran- call, 1 is now a widow residing in East Lyme; Jane Amarried David H. Geer.

Joseph Peabody, son of Joseph, Jr., and the sulect proper of this review, was born Nov. 16, 1835, unti went ty-one

Salem, Conn. He attended school only was fourteen years of age, and at that time on the farm, where he remained until twen- ears of age. At that age he began farming for Sofre Nathaniel Chapman, and worked a season :een dollars a month, which was two dollars more than any other farmer was receiving own of Waterford. At the end of the sea- onjunction with Samuel Williams, he oper- Jordan grist mill for a year. For the fol- wo years he hired the mill and ran same on account. For the next year and a half he aged in farming with his brother Thomas, rm located just west of the New London ouse. Then for a year he was engaged in for Joel Haff in New London.

ng that the government needed his services, body enlisted for nine months in Company A, nn. V. I., in New London, as a private, but e officers were chosen he was made second nt, and served faithfully, participating in the siege f Port Hudson. Although he was never woured, on account of injuries resulting from expo e and hard work he is now given a pension.

Returning to Waterford Mr. Peabody resumed farming for David Austin. He then went to Wis- consin, and worked in the copper mines for a year, but longing for home ties he returned again to Wa- terford and operated the poor farm for two years. In the spring of 1870 he purchased his present farm, known as the David Austin homestead, and has added to it until he now has 300 acres. In addition to carrying on general farming, Mr. Pea- body runs a milk route in New London ..

Fraternally he is a member of W. W. Perkins Post, No. 47, G. A. R., of New London ; and also of Union Lodge No. 31, F. & A. M., of New Lon- don, of which organization he has been a member since 1862. Both he and his excellent wife are con- sistent members of the First Baptist Church of Jor- dan. In politics he is a Democrat, and has acted very ably as first selectman, and served on the board for over twenty years. He has also been on the board of relief several times. During the session of 1889, he was a member of the General Assembly, and while there served on two different committees.

On Feb. 8, 1866, Mr. Peabody married Maryetta Austin, daughter of David Austin, of Waterford, and their children are: Mary, who married Will- iam Tourjee, a farmer of Waterford, and they have four children, Maryetta, Ruth, Grace and Ralph; Austin, at home; Elmer, who married Jennie Odg- ers, of Waterford, daughter of William Odgers, and they have one child, Marjorie Elizabeth; and Charles, who is engaged in farming at home. Since the property came into his possession, Mr. Pea- body has made many additions and improvements, including the erection of a large barn and out-build- ings, and the premises show that a master hand is in charge. He generally keeps thirty-five cows, and finds a ready market for their milk. In every re- spect he is an enterprising, prosperous farmer, and whenever called upon he has served his nation, State, county and town with fidelity and earnestness, and he certainly deserves the popularity he so largely enjoys.

JAMES B. SUTTON, a successful business man of Mystic, Conn., and one of the highly respected citizens of that place, was born at Highland, Ulster Co., N. Y., Dec. 19, 1831, son of David B. Sutton, who was also a native of Highland, where he engaged in a cooperage business. He was also a local Meth- odist preacher and a man of intelligence and earnest- ness, who unfortunately died in 1837, in the prime of life. He married Phebe Baker, a native of Dutchess county, N. Y., who died in 1834. Mr. Sutton later married a sister of his first wife.

James B. Sutton, orphaned at the tender age of six years, spent the following two years at Pough- keepsie, N. Y., with his step-mother, and then went to reside with an aunt in Ulster county. When fif- teen years of age, he went to New York City to learn the trade of spar making, being apprenticed until he was twenty-one years of age. When he attained

gressiv London sentati Conn., (I)

for ei: a mor in the son, i atec lowin his ov was € on a Light farmi F Mr. I 26th when lieute

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

his majority, he came to Mystic, in May, 1852, start- ing to work for William and John Batty, spar makers. During the war, Mr. Sutton established himself in his line of business on the Groton side of the river, but in the spring of 1865, he bought the yards of the Batty Bros., in Mystic and New Lon- don. Later he sold the New London yard to his partner Mr. Williams, who still later turned over all the material of that yard to Mr. Sutton.

Mr. Sutton then formed a partnership with a Mr. Slattery, under the style of Sutton & Slattery, and the two continued together until 1870, when Mr. Sutton became the sole proprietor of the business, and has since so continued. He is one of two spar makers between New York and Boston, and a large proportion of the vessels built along the coast have been furnished with spars from the Sutton yard.

Mr. Sutton married (first) at Mystic, Miss Mary E. Latham, an adopted daughter of Harry Latham, and two children were born to them: William F., a dry goods merchant of Mystic, who died at the age of twenty-five years and five months ; and Harry B., who died at the age of eighteen years and six months. The second marriage of Mr. Sutton took place at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., when he was united to Miss Frances Cronk, of that city. In religious matters Mr. Sutton is a member of the Congrega- tional Church of Mystic. He is a man of upright- ness of living, and carries on his business in an hon- orable and straightforward manner. His product is of such a quality as to command ready sale, and his business is a large and increasing one.

BENJAMIN FRANKLIN WILLIAMS, one of the county commissioners of New London county, has the distinction of descending from not only one, but two, of the oldest settled families of Stonington-the Williams and the Noyes.

(I) William Williams, the progenitor of the American branch of the family, was born in Wales. In 1662 he emigrated to America, and settled in that part of New London now known as Ledyard, in 1663. He was one of the soldiers in King Philip's war. By his wife, Arabella Thompson, he had five children : Richard, William (who married Margaret Cooke), Henry, Stephen and Mary.

(II) Henry Williams, son of William, grew to manhood in New London county, and married, and had a son, Henry (2).

(III) Henry Williams (2), son of Henry, born June 13, 1716, married in 1743 Mary Boardman, who was born March 14, 1725. Their children were: John was born Sept. 5, 1744; Joseph, born Aug. 7, 1747, married Hopestill Elliott; Lieut. Henry, born Dec. 14, 1749, was killed Sept. 6, 1781, in the mas- sacre at Fort Griswold, Groton; a daughter, born Feb. 28, 1752, died the same day ; Peleg was born March 20, 1753; Abigail, March 17, 1756; Amos, July 13, 1758; Seth, Jan. 21, 1761 ; Roger, Dec. 24, 1763 ; and Russel, June 26, 1769.

(IV) Seth Williams, son of Henry (2), Mas born Jan. 21, 1761. He became one of the in Is- trious and prosperous farmers of the town of $1- yard. On Jan. II, 1787, he married Abigail 1- iams, born Aug. 5, 1760, daughter of Nehe Williams, and a direct descendant of Robert

ih 1- iams, who came to America in the ship "Ros in 1635. He married (second), Jan. 30, 1825, I's. Anna Smith Gallup. His death occurred Ma 1, 1843. He was the father of eight children : Bela, born Nov. II, 1787, married John Sands A.fy ; Warren, born April 15, 1789, married Elizabeth fil- lup ; Gurdon, born March 28, 1791, died Jul to, 1854, at Detroit, Mich .; Abigail, born Sept (:4, 1792, married John Avery, of Griswold ; Eliza, Hrn Sept. 18, 1794, married William Hewitt; Etce, born Dec. 20, 1797, married Deacon Erastus Gap; Seth, born Jan. 25, 1802, married Lucy Ann Neps ; and Asenath, born Jan. 25, 1804, married Col. ac W. Geer.

(V) Seth Williams (2), son of Seth, was Frn in Ledyard, Jan. 25, 1802, and died June 20, 54. On Feb. 23, 1827, he married Lucy Ann Noyes cho was born Nov. 4, 1805, and died June 8, daughter of Joseph and Zerviah (Wheeler) Nes, and a direct descendant of Rev. James Noyes the first pastor of the Congregational Church in on- ington. Ten children were born of this un, namely : Lucy Ann, born Jan. 31, 1828, marriche late Ulysses Avery and died in 1900; Eunice fer- viah, born March 19, 1829, is the widow of Era hus Avery, who died in 1902, at Mystic; Seth M'es, born April 23, 1831, married (first) Nov. 26, 57, Eliza P. Noyes, who died May 20, 1870, and he tar- ried (second) June 28, 1871, Mary Emma M fran (he died April 7, 1889) ; Harriet Newell, born [ov. 22, 1832, is the widow of Frank Grant, and r Įdes in Brooklyn, N. Y .; Gurdon, born Nov. 6, 34, married Eliza Cook, and lives in Kane, Pa. ; Jeph Warren, born Aug. 27, 1837, married, Oct. 4, 65, Emma M. Pine, and resides .in Chicago, Ill .; [i]]- iam Henry, born Oct. 22, 1839, married Susan fun- ter, and resided in New York, where he died fen- jamin Franklin is mentioned below; Abbie liza, born June 7, 1843, resides in Brooklyn, N. Y. and Orin Merwin, born Nov. 17, 1845, was an att ney at Winona, Minn., where he died at the a| of twenty-seven years.

Benjamin Franklin Williams was born in .ed- yard Sept. 7, 1841, and until he was fifteen yes of age attended the district schools. He was the sent to a boarding school in East Greenwich, R. I., here he studied three years, when he entered P lips Academy, at Andover, Mass., there completin the usual course of study. Returning to Ledyard [ the beginning of the Civil war, he was one of thefirst volunteers, but on account of physical disabilit was rejected. He then turned his attention to fa: ing, which for years was his chief occupation. Lar he turned his attention to the administering of elites,

B. J. Williams

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GENEALOGICAL AND BIOGRAPHICAL RECORD.

nd to fe guardianship of the unfortunate and of inors, favor bility s high reputation for integrity making him for such work, while his natural business ures the careful management of the prop- rties le in his charge. He has taken a great inter-

st in public affairs of both town and county. or nir years he served as school visitor in Ston- gton, ring which time he was clerk of the school

bard, d for sixteen years he was district com- itteen 1. Although he is a stanch Republican, and thetown of Stonington by a large majority is emoc: ic, he served ten consecutive terms as electm (1890-1899), five of which he was first elect -1892, 1894, 1896, 1897 and 1898.

Tilliams took an active part in securing for Mr. Iystic rothe e location of the velvet plant of the Rossie of Germany, and when the Mystic Indus- ial Company was formed, in the winter of 1897, he ras chen one of the directors, and was elected its rst pi .dent. In November, 1900, he was ap- ointedfy Gov. Lounsbury county commissioner or Ne y the ras no London county, to fill the vacancy created ath of John T. Batty. This appointment fnexpected, as it had been understood that Ir. W ams had the endorsement of the strongest en inde Ninth Senatorial District, as well as in le con v the lectio

y, and the Governor was congratulated ess of the State for making so good a and the town and district upon having a an wl could so worthily fill the position.

Mr.

Tilliams was one of the incorporators of the toning n and Groton Street Railway Co., charter por wh was granted by the Legislature in 1903, adl thì gh his efforts a large part of the capital ock v subscribed, and he obtained the right of ay th gh the town of Stonington. Upon the or- anizat ı of the company he was elected vice-pres- ent a director. Mr. Williams has been no less tive church affairs, uniting with the First Con- al Church in Stonington in 1866, and he

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Genealogical and biographical record of New London County, Connecticut, containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens and genealogical records of many of the early settled families, Part 61

Author: Publication date: 1905 Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co. Number of Pages: 1568

Author:
Publication date: 1905
Publisher: Chicago : J.H. Beers & Co.
Number of Pages: 1568